Fab Five Friday - Alfred Hitchcock Films

Uh oh. I'm prepared for the push back on this one..."DUSTIN! You're stupid and ignorant! These aren't Hitchcock's best films by a long shot! You suck!" Sorry not sorry. These are MY personal favorite Hitch movies, I didn't say they were his best work or most celebrated, or whatever. This is my personal opinion. I think most people, at least those somewhat versed in cinema, have a couple of standout Hitchcock films. These are mine, though I'll admit it was REALLY hard to narrow it down to just five. You'll notice I didn't put The Birds on here, though It definitely is my favorite Hitchcock film. I've already done an entire blog post devoted to it which you can read here. Okay, so here they are! The 5 Hitch movies I chose that many film critics out there will judge me forever on! 

Rear Window (1954)

Starring: James Stewart, Grace Kelly, Thelma Ritter and Wendell Corey

After breaking his leg, Jeff (James Stewart) is laid up in his apartment which overlooks his apartment building's courtyard for several weeks. To entertain himself he watches his neighbors live their lives. This seemingly harmless activity soon turns into a nightmare when Jeff believes he's witnessed a man murder his wife. Now it's up to him, his girlfriend (Grace Kelly) and his nurse (Thelma Ritter) to solve the crime before the man gets away. 

"Tell me everything you saw...and what...you think it means."

This movie is interesting because it's all shown from the point of view from a window in an apartment. We never see any other perspective. Hitchcock did this so masterfully! It should also be noted that NONE of this took place outside. Everything was shot on a sound stage at Paramount Studios. James Stewart is perfect, as usual, in any role you cast him in. Grace Kelly is absolutely enchanting. This is by far my favorite role Grace Kelly has ever played. She plays Jimmy's girlfriend who wants him to commit to her. Though she's a pampered, classy socialite, she still has no problem getting her hands dirty and helping solve the crime. She's excellent as a Hitchcock leading lady. 

Rear Window at the IMDB

Psycho (1960)

Starring: Anthony Perkins, Vera Miles, John Gavin and Janet Leigh

Marion Crane (Janet Leigh) goes on the run after stealing $40,000 from her employer's client. She checks into the Bates Motel, run by young man (Anthony Perkins) who's under the thumb of his overbearing mother. After she disappears, her sister (Vera Miles) and her lover (John Gavin) search for her, leading to a horrifying conclusion. 

"A boy's best friend is his mother."

This is one of the greatest horror films every to hit the silver screen. It's absolutely perfect. The studio had no faith in Hitchcock and Psycho. They gave him a very limited budget, so he filmed it with only $800,000 and a VERY limited theatrical release. The film was one of his biggest hits and grossed over 30 million dollars.  It's such a shame that Anthony Perkins' career was tainted by his excellent performance in this film. He was definitely the star, though Janet Leigh's screams in the iconic shower scene will forever haunt the dreams of pop culture and audience's everywhere. 

Psycho at the IMDB

Vertigo (1958)

Starring: James Stewart, Kim Novak and Barbara Bel Geddes

A retired San Francisco detective (James Stewart) suffering from acrophobia becomes dangerously obsessed with an old friend's wife (Kim Novak) whom he's hired to look after. His obsession leads him into a vicious plot of lust, greed and murder. 

"If I let you change me, will that do it? If I do what you tell me, will you love me?"

This movie is just EVERYTHING a good movie is supposed to be. If you asked me to present you one movie that, in my mind, that is absolutely the perfect piece of cinema, I'd have to go with Vertigo. The acting, the story, the production... it's just sick-to-death. Kim Novak is also one of the greatest actresses ever. She can give you anything you want in a role, as she proves in spades in this film. If you haven't seen it yet, go now. Stop what you're doing and get this immediately. 

Vertigo at the IMDB

Rebecca (1940)

Starring: Joan Fontaine, Laurence Olivier, George Sanders and Judith Anderson

After moving into her newlywed husband's (Laurence Olivier) massive mansion, a self-conscious bride (Joan Fontaine) is relentlessly haunted by the memory of her husband's deceased wife and mentally tormented by the sinister head maid who still adores her (Judith Anderson). 

"You wouldn't think she'd been gone so long, would you? Sometimes, when I walk along the corridor, I fancy I hear her just behind me."

I watched this movie after reading the book "Rebecca" by Daphne Du Maurier, for which this movie was based on. I was so pleasantly surprised. Hitchcock took a novel that was already mysterious and suspenseful and made it even more nerve-racking! Though the book and movie aren't mirror images of one another, they hardly ever are, Hitchcock still manages to make the movie and story flow while still remaining faithful to the original work. The standout role is definitely Judith Anderson as the wicked head maid, Mrs. Danvers. She steals the show. Joan Fontaine was very well suited for this role and shines as a nameless character. One thing I'm glad Hitchcock didn't do, he didn't show a flashback of the mysterious Rebecca at all. He kept her exactly as she should be, a ghost from the past. 

Rebecca at IMDB

Marnie (1964)

Starring:  Tippi Hedren, Sean Connery and Diane Baker

A pathological liar and habitual thief, Marnie (Tippi Hedren) is forced to marry one of her targets, Mark (Sean Connery) after he catches her stealing. He tries to break through her icy exterior and help her confront her psychological issues before she's lost forever. 

"You don't love me. I'm just something you've caught! You think I'm some sort of animal you've trapped!"

This isn't everyone's favorite, and I understand why. Marnie is actually the last M in Hitchcock's Trippe M Trinity; Marion (Janet Leigh's character in Psycho.), Melanie (Tippi Hedren's character in The Birds) and Marnie. Psycho is the crime, The Birds is the punishment and Marnie is forgiveness. Marnie was panned by critics and audiences, but it's only in recent years that critics have perked up and taken notice of Marnie and what an exceptional film it really is. The reason Marnie suffered so, is because of the drama between him and Tippi Hedren behind the scenes. Hitchcock wanted to be sexual with her, but she refused his many advances. Marnie, in many ways, is Hitchcock's own fantasy. Trapping Tippi Hedren in a relationship and having his way with her, that was a dream he could only realize in Marnie. 

Marnie at the IMDB

Honorable Mentions: Suspicion (1941), Dial M for Murder (1954), To Catch a Thief (1955) and Notorious (1946)

Now, sashay away.

Fab Five(ish) Friday: Disney Annimated Films

Cinderella

SCANDAL!

When I think of the classic fairy-tale Cinderella the first thing that comes to mind is Disney's version. Disney has monopolized on these classics and really made them their own. As a kid, I used to pretend mice and birds were helping me get ready while I sang and washed up in the shower. Speaking of songs, Cinderella isn't too strong in the music department. It doesn't have any truly epic songs like later Disney films. Today when I watch it I still laugh out loud at Lucifer's tea cup scene and still fill brokenhearted for Cinderella when the Step-Sisters rip a part her dress. I mean, those blue beads were GORGEOUS with that pink dress! Them mice and birds knew how to accessorize!

GURL! Dem beads are EVERYTHING!

To me the blue dress Fairy Godmother made her was never as good as the pink one. I know a lot of you are all like "Dustin, you're crazy! That blue dress was off the chain!" Yeah I know it was, but that pink dress was made out of love by mice and birds for her! I can't imagine being a mouse or a bird and making a whole goddamn dress. All the Fairy Godmother did was say "Bibbidy-bobbity-boo!" and BOOM the dress was done! No thought went into it whatsoever. I feel like we went off on a tangent here, but yeah, know you know how I feel. You're welcome.

AHHHH!!! 

Mulan

YAAAASSSSSSS!!!! I LOVE THIS ONE!!! Fun fact: This was the last Disney animated film I went to see in theaters until my sisters dragged me to Finding Nemo. Mulan is just amazing in all aspects! I love the story, the music, the animation style... just everything was on point for this one.

Always match your foundation to your neck! Not your taint!

If you haven't seen Mulan, first off: GET YOUR DICK TOGETHER AND WATCH IT! Second of all: It takes place in ancient China and It's about a young, tom-boyish girl who doesn't quite fit in anywhere. When the infamous Huns attack their land, One man from every household in China must go off to battle. Mulan's elderly and ill father is called to war. Mulan, being a woman, is unable to fight for him. Knowing that he'll certainly die, she disguises herself as a man and enters the army along with her Eddie Murphy dragon, horse and lucky cricket.

Shang, sorry buddy, I don't think she's interested. It's okay, we've been there.

Mulan has some awesome music in it. I can still sing almost every song by heart. "Honor to Us All,""I'll Make a Man Out of You," "A Girl Worth Fighting For" and my favsie "Reflection." I felt a special bond with the character of Mulan. I felt like we both were outcasts, and often shamed for who we were. I think this resonated with a lot of kids at the time.

BADASS!

Aladdin

"Touch it! Touch it I say!" #SleepingBeautyFlashback

Looking at Aladdin now, it's kinda messed up. It's pretty much about this guy lying and manipulating everyone so he could hook up with a girl. Think about that for a second. BOOM you're childhood is ruined! You're welcome!

See! Lying and manipulating ALWAYS gets you whatever you want!

The highlight of the film is obviously Genie, played by the late, great Robin Williams (Pours one out.). Even today, this movie cracks me up. The songs were epic in this movie too! Typical Disney! Jafar was an awesome villain! I remember being so scared and on edge when he turned into a snake! That was a questionable decision on Disney's part.

Awww! RIP Robin Williams. 

Beauty and the Beast

I had a hard time including this one, in fact, this is one that made my Fab Five into Fab Six. I couldn't leave Beauty and the Beast out. If you were around the age of 5 when this came out, you know what I mean. It was an extremely special movie to us. I think I dragged my poor grandfather back to the movie theater at least seven times to see this one.

Gaston Angry! Gaston SMASH!

I loved all the little household objects that talked and sang. I think that was my favorite part. I loved Mrs. Potts so much that I even had a porcelain tea set with her and Chip(I'm sure it costs my mother a TON.). The slutty feather duster was probably my favorite though "Oh! I've been burned by you before!" Anyone remember that? No? Just me? Okay cool.

The music is fucking amazing. At this point do I even have to say it? I mean "Belle," "Gaston," "Be Our Guest," "Something There"... they were all awesome. I think what you're supposed to take away from this movie is that "outer beauty is only skin deep and it's what's on the inside that counts," whatever. Thank God the Beast turned into a normal looking guy at the end! Can you imagine what kinda ugly-ass babies Belle and him would have had if he stayed the Beast? Gross.

Sorry, I wouldn't drink that tea.

The Little Mermaid

That's like... a REALLY big bow. Just sayin.

Can we talk about this for a minute? Like, can we take a moment and talk about how completely OBSESSED I was with this movie? The Little Mermaid, though released in 1989, had a resurgence in the early 90's making Disney even MORE money! The reason for the resurgence in it's popularity was because Disney made the controversial move of releasing in on video in 1990. Before  Mermaid, Disney simply re-released a film back into theaters every 7 years, which sucks. That kinda crap would NEVER fly today.

LIES! He's telling you lies! Never trust a seagull! 

It's about a sixteen-year-old mermaid named Ariel who has an unhealthy obsession with the human world. She desperately wants to be part of that world, but she can't because she's a mermaid and has scaly fins. After he father is a total jerk, Ariel goes to Ursula the sea witch and exchanges her angelic voice for legs because everyone should make a life altering decision at sixteen! She goes to the surface to romance Prince Eric whom she's somehow in-love with though they've never met. Things don't go as planned when Ursula starts interfering, and now Ariel must fight for her Price, her life and her happy ending.

"Trust me,  you won't regret this decision whatsoever!"

I can't tell you how many times I've sung "Part of Your World" it's my all time favorite of all the Disney movie songs. Even today, I still sing it. I don't care. I remember taking forks and trying to brush my hair with them just like Ariel, this got really embarrassing for my mother when we'd go to restaurants.

Yeah.

Sleeping Beauty

I saved the best for last! Just like Vanessa Williams did! This movie is absolutely BEAUTIFUL! The animation style of this film is the best I've ever seen. Alice in Wonderland and Lady and the Tramp were actually done before Sleeping Beauty, and I find this so incredible! The animation style is a complete departure from those films. The movie took almost the entire decade of the 50's to make, and it shows. The attention to detail and the saturation of colors is spectacular. Walt Disney wanted the movie to be a moving piece of Medieval art, and he succeeded in spades.

#TitanicFlashback

While Sleeping Beauty was an artistic triumph, it was a critical failure. Sleeping Beauty was the last fairy-tale genre(The Sword in the Stone doesn't count! It's a fable!) Disney made until The Little Mermaid. Today, Sleeping Beauty has a strong following and is now hailed as one of the best animation films ever made due to it's stylized designs created by painter and art director Eyvind Earle.

Why can't my fairies make ME a crown! Goddammit.

I already blogged about the bad-assery of Maleficent, and how she's the ultimate boss of everything and everyone because she can turn into a FUCKING DRAGON! Prince Phillip is my favorite Disney Prince, because he actually has a fun and interesting personality. The three faeries are great! I love the scene where they're getting everything ready for Aurora's birthday. Were you team "Make it pink!" or team "Make it blue!"? I was Team Blue ALL the way! Pink is so overrated and the blue went better with Aurora's eyes. If you're Team Pink, you're wrong. Your opinion is null and void, thanks for playing!

KEEP IT BLUE!

Honorable Mentions: The Sword in the Stone, The Lion King and Pocahontas. 

Fab Five Friday: Unreleased Lana Del Rey Songs

I'm starting a series of new posts! YAY! They're called "Fab Five." It's pretty much a category, whether it be music, beauty, art, movies, etc and I list my top five of that category.... does that make sense? I'm doing it anyway. Hope you like it!

Like any artist, Lana Del Rey recorded some songs that never ended up on an album. Over time, these songs have been leaked and put on to various sites like YouTube and Grooveshark.  The likelihood of these songs ever appearing on a Lana album are very slim. To date, "Black Beauty" is the only leaked song I know of to see the light of day. It's sad because these songs are so amazing. I would love to legally purchase these. I know there's a way to get them, but I don't know how to do that YouTube thing or illegally download shit off the interwebs. I barely can keep up with how to work my damn iTunes.So here are my favorite unreleased Lana songs!

Queen of Disaster

This song has such an old-fashioned 60's vibe. I can totally see The Supremes of The Ronettes singing this on American Bandstand! Lana has this impeccable ability to mix retro sound with modern lyrics, and the formula of the song is absolutely her to a tee. It's a playful little diddy about falling in love with "the bad boy." This theme echos through a lot of Lana songs ("Blue Jeans," "Million Dollar Man," "Ultraviolence," etc.). This particular one is extremely upbeat and chipper compared to many of her other songs about a doomed love affair. 

Prom Song (Gone Wrong)

Lana sings about rebellious youth, young love and running away from her boring life with her lover who likes to fuck her up against the wall. This song would have been perfect on Born to Die, I'll never understand why it didn't make the cut. We actually get to hear the "Gangsta Nancy Sinatra" come out of Lana as she mixes her classic vocals with rap. We also have the typical references to pop culture icons and bands. It's pretty fucking fantastic.

                

Hollywood

Lana talks about her longing for fame and the finer things in life.The song would have been amazing on Born to Die. It carries on her theme of material wealth and how it's an absolute necessity to her. In typical Lana style, she makes several references to great musicians of the past such as Jim Morrison when she sings "I dance like Morrison", it somewhat echos many of her other songs such as "Gods and Monsters." It's almost a love song to her dreams of fame and glamour. You can hear her longing to have that icon status, and we listeners know she'll never stop until she has it.

Serial Killer

HOLY HELL! This song is tits in the mouth! This needed to be on Ultraviolence so badly! Unfortunately it wasn't, and it's such a shame. Serial Killer is one of those songs that make you scratch your head, wondering why the hell it's never been released. In this hidden gem, Lana sings about being a slutty party girl. She compares her various lovers as victims. She seduces them, makes them fall in love with her, fucks them and then walks away like the mother fucking boss she is! Though at the beginning of the song she states her wish to find her "one true love," you can tell by the rest of her lyrics, it's an act. She wants to be young, wild and promiscuous. She don't give a shit.

JFK

This song is so beautiful. It has this dreamy sound that takes you to another time. In typical Lana fashion, she mixes famous icons in with modern lyrics. She compares the man she loves to several things, mainly former President John F. Kennedy or JFK. Despite this song swelling with love and romance, it also has a sad undertone. It's as if she's singing of a time that once was and will never be again, much like John F. Kennedy's reign as President and the youth and vitality it brought to America. Things like that can never be re-captured. In a way I feel like "JFK" is paying homage to this time where youth and young love were celebrated and not scorned.

Honorable mentions: "Riding in Cars with Boys,""Damn You" and "Hundred Dollar Bill"